LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — A combined police and customs operation in Barangay Kinudalan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, led to the seizure of 505 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at nearly Php19.84 million, along with sachets of suspected shabu, during the early hours of December 4, 2025.
Personnel of Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, under the leadership of PBGEN Arnold P. Ardiente, Regional Director, implemented three search warrants at approximately 2:54 a.m. at the residence of a businessman identified only as alias “Chong,” who remains at large. The warrants cited violations of RA 10591 and RA 9516.
The operation was carried out by the Lebak Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12, Regional Intelligence Division 12, Regional Intelligence Unit 12, DI-MAPIO, and the Bureau of Customs-General Santos City.
During the raid, authorities recovered four sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 2 grams, with an estimated street value of Php13,600. Large quantities of smuggled cigarettes were also discovered, including brands such as Victor Angilo, Commissioner Green, President Yellow, Commissioner Red, President Black, President Red, Berlin, and Lasa. Initial confiscation included 260 boxes valued at Php10,215,400.
As the team withdrew, additional boxes were discovered along the shoreline. Verified via video call with a BOC representative, another 245 boxes of Lasa and Brooklyn cigarettes were seized, amounting to Php9,626,050. The combined total of 505 boxes brings the Bureau of Customs valuation to Php19,841,450.
All confiscated items, including the suspected shabu and smuggled cigarettes, were inventoried and marked at the place of recovery in the presence of a municipal kagawad and media representatives before being turned over to Lebak MPS for proper documentation and disposition.
Authorities emphasized that the illegal importation and distribution of these goods is considered not only a violation of customs and taxation laws but also a form of economic sabotage, threatening lawful trade and local government revenue.
This operation follows another recent seizure in the same barangay where smuggled cigarettes worth Php11 million were confiscated from a hidden warehouse earlier on December 4, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb contraband in the area.